SDO14088 - Survey and Observations along a Water Pipeline at Durweston, Blandford Forum, Dorset

‘A series of slight earthworks (centred on ST 8615 0835) to the south-east of the village of Durweston, Dorset, were mapped in advance of Wessex Water inserting a pipeline across the. In addition, archaeological observations were carried out during topsoil stripping and the digging of the water-pipe trench itself. The survey revealed a series of low spread earthworks forming a series of small square and rectangular enclosures sited just above the edge of the River Stour floodplain. These earthworks are thought to represent small fields and enclosures of medieval date and, although several irregularities could be seen within some of these enclosures, no definite building platforms could be identified. The earthworks are shown to be simple earthen banks or lynchets. The observations did not uncover any further archaeological features. Finds recovered were primarily of medieval pottery of generally 12th to 14th century date. Other finds included worked flint, a single piece of Roman roof-tile, and animal bones. It is likely that the earthworks represent the remains of the old village of Knighton, which was absorbed into the present parish of Durweston in the 14th century.’